Son of the Hero King

Chapter 222 CH 197: WELCOME TO YOUR TRUE HOME (2)

“Welcome back home, Sol. I am happy to finally meet you.”

Sol, who didn’t expect such a warm welcome from someone he never met, was surprised. After all, it would have been stupid of him to think that he would be well treated just because he was related by blood.

If things were so easy, fratricide would not have been the second sin in the bible. He was even further surprised by what happened next.

"Firstly, I’d like to apologize, I didn't really try to test you earlier. Are you alright? You are not hurt, are you?”

Sol was completely bewildered and couldn’t help but become suspicious.

‘Is she really Tiamat?’

He knew that he shouldn’t believe hearsay and rumors but, the difference between what he knew of Tiamat and what she was showing was simply too much.

‘Well, everyone shows different faces to different people.’

He did not know if Tiamat was really worried or only acting but, for now, he was willing to believe in her.

“I am alright, don’t worry. I guess I have let my pride get the best of me. It’s just that I seem to be tested every time I meet someone new. So I misunderstood.”

Sol really wondered when the day would come where he didn’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore. Sadly, this day still seemed far away.

Smiling in relief, Tiamat caught him by the arm and pulled him toward the inner office hidden behind the throne.

“Now then, tell me everything that happened to you. I want to know about you as much as possible.”

---

While Sol and Tiamat were catching up, Nent was leading up her small group while following the two guards.

Looking around, an expression of nostalgia flashed before being swiftly extinguished.

What happened between her and Kiyo was something out of her own choice. She had no right to play the victim in such a situation.

"Oh!? Nent, is that you?"

'Oh hell.'

All her contradictory emotions vanished and were replaced by a powerful headache.

"Who is he?"

She ignored the floating midget and turned to face the source of the voice.

It was a handsome scarlet-haired man seemingly in his late twenties clad in a black suit, black pants, and a white shirt.

Behind him was a younger-looking male with long black hair and an eye patch on his right eye.

Showing a stiff smile, Nent greeted the man.

"Fafnir...How have you been?"

Fafnir's eyes lit up with joy as he walked with his arms opened wide,

"Nent! I am glad to see you! Did you come to meet me!?"

Nent avoided the hug, to the surprise of Fafnir, and answered,

"Fafnir. While we were once in courtship and could have become mates. Talk about relationships stopped after I became estranged with most divine beasts so avoid excessive displays of affection."

At the end of the day, Nent was still a phoenix. No matter how she changed, she valued her virtue very deeply and since she had given herself to Sol, then he would be the only man in her life.

Though this was another source of headache. Fafnir was not a bad man and in fact, was very tolerant of a dragon. Still, no matter how calm and gentle he was, Nent could not imagine how he would react if he learned that she was now his Nephew’s mate.

‘How could I have forgotten about him?’

Fafnir on the other hand showed an expression of surprise at the cold rebuke of Nent.

Sol was talented. Excessively so. This made the situation all the more worrisome. She could not see what would happen to him exactly, but whatever it was, it was impossible for him to survive it at his current level.

“Sol, tell me, are you a Duke now?”

“No, why?”

A sharp glint flashed through her eyes before she began to laugh as if she had gone crazy.

‘Ah~! Fate is truly unfathomable. Were those goddesses even able to predict this?’

No, she did not think so. But what did it matter? In the end, all she could do was thank this loathsome Fate for having given her a chance.

But...Should I observe him more?

From what she had just seen, Sol was truthfully a fine young man. Though he lacked some worldly experience. Still, this was not enough to have an opinion on his personality.

‘Let’s prepare everything first.’

“Tiamat?”

“Call me big sis.”

“...”

“...”

“Okay~Sigh. Big sis....”

“Umu. You want to ask why I am laughing?”

“Yes.”

“I am just laughing at how helpless we are when we can't help but act like moths drawn toward a flame.”

“...”

“It doesn’t matter now. It’s still too soon to speak about it. I will tell you everything once I have straightened everything in my mind. Meanwhile, I will have to arrange your stay.”

She closed her eyes and thought for a while before finally facing Sol,

“Before everything, there is something I want to make clear. Sol...Do you really wish to become strong?”

“...Why the sudden question?”

“Because you do not need to. I am sure that all your life, you had to live under the expectation of others. Some wanted you to be strong. Some wanted you to be wise. Many should have wished for you to become like your father.”

“...”

“Even now, from what I understand, you act mainly to protect your family. You entered the astral world in order to save someone dear to you.”

“...”

“There’s nothing wrong about wishing to fight for your loved ones. Many people managed to reach great heights with such convictions and I am sure that this will be the same for you. But...Is it really alright?”

She shook her head, “To become strong is not just a question of power but also of mindset. You cannot become strong just because someone wants you to. You should not become strong because you think others need you to.

Only by wishing to become strong out of your own volition, for your own very interest can you become truly strong and face all adversities.”

“Like this, if you ever fail and fall down. You cannot blame anyone for it, nor can you rely on anyone to help you stand up. You will have to grit your teeth and bear everything. Because the road of the strong is always filled with thorns.”

Standing up, she ruffled Sol’s hair and gave a gentle smile, “I talked so much but in the end what I want to say is simple.”

“Sol...You do not have to become strong. You do not have to bear everything on your shoulder nor do you need to walk a thorn-filled path.”

Sol looked deeply at Tiamat, her words resounding deep in his heart as he asked with a hoarse voice.

“Why?”

“Why? Simple. Because you are my grandson and–”

Her warm smile was replaced by a lofty one full of undisputed pride,

“ —I am the strongest.”